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Sunday MLB Notes: The New York Teams are Active, Valdez Market and More

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The MLB Offseason is in full swing. The biggest stars on the market are slowly but surely coming off the board, with the secondary-type players still lingering on the market. This week alone, the free agent and trade markets have swayed the landscape of the 2026 season outlook.

Mets Moves

The Mets have made a lot of changes to their roster this offseason. While throughout the offseason the Mets plan was unclear, the past week and a half, David Sterns and co. have made that plan clearer.

 

The Mets were rumored to be in on the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes. Tuesday night, the interest was called into question. The Mets and White Sox completed a blockbuster trade for Luis Robert Jr.. Robert Jr. is a buy-low, sell high option for the Mets. At worst, it’s a one year, $20M contract who can’t hit. At best, Robert Jr. thieves back to his all star potential.

The next day, the Mets completed another blockbuster trade. This time, for a starting pitcher. The Mets acquired Freddy Peralta for two top 100 prospects that will surely make an impact with the Brewers. For the Mets, they needed a starter and still might not be done in that department. They got arguably the best starter available this offseason. Peralta provides the Mets with a proven ace with postseason experience. Pair him with young Nolan McLean — who celebrated his wedding this week — and you have one of the better one-two punches in the National League.

The Mets still need to look to improve their bullpen. They might be able to use Tobias Myers, who came in the Peralta deal as a swingman in the ‘pen with him having experience in both roles.

The Mets got better this week and are my pick in the NL East. Is what the Mets did sustainable for the long term future of the team, that’s a story for another day.

Belli in the Bronx to Stay

The inevitable came to head this week. Cody Bellinger re-signed with the New York Yankees on a five-year, $162.5M contract. There are opt-outs after the second and third seasons.

While Yankees fans might not be excited with the team’s offseason given the only external addition has been Ryan Weathers, they are better than most think. FanGraphs currently projects the Yankees as the best team in the American League, and their offseason is not finished.

 

The Yankees will turn their attention to pitching. They were in the Peralta and MacKenzie Gore markets, but found the prices a bit too high. It’s important to note the Yankees farm system is not as good as most teams, so the hit to their system would be greater giving up those prospects.

Where the Yankees really need to turn their attention is the bullpen. The Yankees bullpen is looking like the weakest unit of the team, according to FanGraphs. The likes of Cade Winquest and Paul Blackburn won’t be enough to win a championship.

Framber Valdez Still on the Market

The best free agent remaining on the market is southpaw Framber Valdez. Valdez is still projected to receive a nice payday, but his market has taken a hit. When Valdez crossed up catcher César Salazar, I don’t think he knew just how much it would cost him in this market.

 

Right now, the Baltimore Orioles are the leader in the Valdez sweepstakes. No deal is done yet, but I would assume that Valdez would want to be signed prior to Spring Training. Valdez is exactly what the Orioles are looking for. It seems like a match made in heaven. The O’s need a big time starter with postseason experience and Valdez needs a team like the O’s that will be in contention.

I would suspect that Valdez takes a short-term, high-AAV offer to test the market once again in his pitching prime.

Around the League:

  • The MacKenzie Gore trade to the Texas Rangers was a bit out of the blue. The Rangers are trying to remain relevant in 2026 with the Mariners the clear favorites to win the AL West. The Rangers have been on a downward spiral since their 2023 Super Bowl win. When the Rangers are counted out, it seems they are at their best.
  • The San Fransisco Giants and the Washington Nationals had trade conversations surrounding C.J. Abrams and another position player. Though talks are ongoing, the two sides have yet to found common ground. Speaking of the Giants, keep an eye on Harrison Bader, as he interests the Giants and his market should be moving post-Bellinger.
  • Tarik Skubal is not expected to be traded this offseason, per Jon Heyman. The Tigers are asking for the world in their proposals for Skubal like this is fantasy baseball. Things could change post-arbitration with the two sides already on thin ice, but as of now the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner will remain in MoTown.
  • The Red Sox are looking for an infielder, preferably a right-handed hitting infielder. They project Marcelo Mayer to be a third baseman coming off injury.

(Top Image Credit: Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)